Chapter 1: A Song of Forgetting the World, Leading to the Path Between Life and Death

Life is not always as beautiful as one imagines: there are many inevitable sorrows and pains in life (Gu Long, On Life).
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Where do people go after death? Do they go to another world? Where is that other world? Are they reborn? Will they return to the mortal world?
Surely, here is a wandering spirit right before our eyes…
Dressed in black, with a nearly transparent body, standing motionless, his pale face showed great weakness. His lifeless eyes seemed to have already sealed his fate.
He looked handsome, around thirty years old, but why had he become a spirit? He should have had another thirty years, or even more, left to live.
It was unclear how long he had been drifting, but the scenery around him had changed—green trees and flowers were gone, replaced by black rocks and withered trees. There were no sounds of birds or beasts, only mournful flute melodies.
The three golden characters “Realm of Life and Death” floated in the air like illusions. The spirit paid no attention and continued drifting forward…
Finally, no longer alone, he arrived at the Realm of Life and Death and saw countless spirits like himself lining up and moving forward. What was this? Turning his head, he saw the “Bridge of No Return.”
Was it the Meng Po soup? Could drinking it erase all memories of one’s past life?
Finally, the spirit moved, no longer letting his body drift aimlessly. He gently moved toward a large rock nearby and sat down against it.
He was a failure. In this world, failure meant only one choice: death. All memories of his past life appeared before his eyes again…
“Wei Lingfeng, as the leader of the demon race, why are you so persistent? For the sake of a woman, you have turned against the heroes of the three realms,” accused a middle-aged man clad in golden armor, with two feathers on his head and a long spear in hand.
Another voice said, “Elder Immortal, what’s the point of talking to this demon? Today, we will make him vanish forever from this world, forcing him to atone with his own blood.”
The nine major sects and all their masters surrounded Wei Lingfeng, including his own demon clan. Yet none dared to attack easily, for they feared the sword in his hand—a demonic sword, ranked among the top seven evil swords.
In the mortal world, there are so many devoted men and tender women…
Wei Lingfeng was devoted and persistent. Looking at the woman in his arms, whose body was already cold, he cried. Blood-red tears gently fell on her face. Who says men should not shed tears? It’s just that they rarely do when heartbroken. He cried out loudly, “Why? Aren’t you elders immortals? Aren’t you from noble and righteous sects? Why treat us like this? What I, Wei Lingfeng, desire is simple, so why can’t you give it to me?”
The man with feathers on his head replied, “It’s not that immortals and demons can’t marry, but you can’t. You are the leader of the demon race, while she is the holy maiden of the immortal race.”

Wei Lingfeng grew furious. The demonic sword in his hand emitted an endless stream of black, tangible killing aura as he shouted, “I am no longer the leader, nor am I any kind of master. I have given up everything—what more do you want from me?”
Everyone stepped back. An old monk with white beard stepped forward and said, “Master Wei, you’re right. But your sins are too profound. From the moment you possessed that sword, you should have anticipated this day. It’s karma—that woman’s death was caused by your actions. Amitabha.”
Wei Lingfeng looked at the sword in his hand and at the woman he was holding. His heart was filled with countless emotions. Yes, it was because of his sword that she died, and that’s why he was in this situation. But had he killed the wrong people? All those Wei Lingfeng had killed deserved to die—couldn’t they see that?
At that moment, an old man dressed as a Taoist in green, who seemed very kind, stepped forward and said, “Wei Lingfeng, what are you still thinking about? Do you want to commit more sins? Everything in this life is but fleeting—why cling so tightly to it? Why not drink some Mengpo soup and start over?”
Wei Lingfeng gripped his demonic sword even tighter, his killing aura intensifying. Why? Was he really wrong? But if he was right, why were they all blaming him?
Raising his sword high, Wei Lingfeng shouted loudly, “I have a clear conscience. Is it wrong for me to kill those who deserve to die? Did they not deserve to die?”
Then, the immortal with a chicken feather in his hair spoke again, “You murderous monster! How many people in the three realms—heaven, earth, and humanity—have died at your hands? What are you still trying to hide?”
Wei Lingfeng smiled coldly, filled with sorrow and anger. In this vast world, there was no place for him. Enough. With a twist of his left hand, he moved the woman he was holding behind him, then quickly tied himself and her together with a belt from his waist.
Wei Lingfeng drew a beautiful sword pattern, accompanied by a layer of black, tangible gas, and shouted, “You call yourself an immortal—what skills do you have? Dare you fight me?”
The immortal murmured, “This… you murderous monster! Even at the brink of death, you still boast. Even if all the heroes in the world fight you today, what then?”
Hearing this, Wei Lingfeng’s blood boiled with passion. With heroic spirit, he said, “Good… I’ve always acted with integrity before heaven and earth. Today, I’ll fight all the heroes in the world alone. What does death matter?” For a moment, everyone seemed stunned by his boldness and no one could speak.
Because they understood—Wei Lingfeng was a demon, a terrifying demon, unmatched in the three realms. Even if everyone present joined forces, they couldn’t defeat him. It was precisely because of this that Wei Lingfeng was envied and brought to this point.
At that moment, the old monk stepped forward again and said, “Master Wei, are you still attached to the mortal world? All its rights and wrongs, grudges and favors, are but fleeting things. Why don’t you open your heart? Even if you kill everyone here, will you still have a place to stay?”

Yes, Wei Lingfeng… Why has it come to this? Have I not killed enough people? Indeed, they deserved to die, but why was it always me who killed them? Even if I kill everyone here today, his love will not return, and Wei Lingfeng will no longer have a place to hide.

The light in Wei Lingfeng’s eyes vanished instantly. He remained silent for a long time, as if deep in thought or making a decision. Suddenly, he raised his head and stared at everyone, as if his gaze could see through everything…

Everyone present shuddered.

Wei Lingfeng gripped his long sword and said, “Very well. Wei Lingfeng deserves to die, but not because of you so-called heroes. Life holds no interest for me anymore, and I have no attachments to the world. But I hate—hate everyone in this world. Even after drinking the Mengpo soup, my hatred will remain. Today… I, Wei Lingfeng, will settle accounts with all those who call themselves heroes. Perhaps twenty years from now, another Wei Lingfeng will appear…”

A black light appeared—a swift, deadly sword. No one saw how Wei Lingfeng’s sword cut through his own throat. No one expected him to do such a thing…

Blood flowed out. As Wei Lingfeng collapsed, a white figure appeared above them like a white meteor cutting through the night sky. It quickly appeared beside Wei Lingfeng and embraced him as he fell.

Wearing a sword on his back and dressed like a swordsman, the man appeared to be in his thirties. His resolute face showed signs of hardship, and his cold eyes were like snow in winter.

Looking at Wei Lingfeng, the man in white’s eyes instantly filled with tears. He shouted loudly, “Why? Why, Wei Lingfeng? Why are you so foolish? Have you forgotten this year’s sword competition? It’s my fault—I arrived too late. Don’t leave! I’ll kill all these people right now…”

Everyone was terrified by this man. They knew he was the greatest swordsman of the human race, who competed with Wei Lingfeng from the demon race every August 15th. Yet, after over a decade, they had always been tied in battle. Now, this almost mad swordsman wanted to kill everyone here…

With his last breath, Wei Lingfeng shook his head and said, “No… Brother, it’s because I no longer have any ties to this world that knows no right or wrong. Let me rest… If you still consider me your brother, then don’t harm them. Come… come with me to the Bridge of Sorrow to drink… for the last time…”

Before he could finish speaking, Wei Lingfeng was already lifeless. A great hero, forced to death by these scoundrels on Yuecang Mountain. The man in white, tears in his eyes, looked up at these “heroes” and shook his head. “If it weren’t for Wei Lingfeng’s last request, I would send you all to hell to accompany him as sacrifices… Get lost!”

Everyone felt relieved and quickly took a breath before heading down the mountain. In just a short while, thousands of people scattered.

The man in white tapped his right hand, and the sword behind him flew out on its own, swirling wildly across the ground. In the blink of an eye, a deep pit four or five meters wide appeared on the ground.

The man in white sheathed his sword, picked up Wei Lingfeng and the other person, gently set them down, then stood up and said, “Brother, wait for me. I’ll go to the netherworld to see you right away…” A white light disappeared into the night. Recalling his past life, Wei Lingfeng felt like crying—this life was over like this… Suddenly, a white light flashed, and a figure appeared beside Wei Lingfeng. It was none other than his good brother, the man in white. Seeing Wei Lingfeng’s subdued expression, the man’s face showed extreme complexity. He grabbed Wei Lingfeng and said, “Come, let’s return to the human world with me.” Wei Lingfeng calmly shook his head and said, “My physical body is ruined. Going back is pointless. Moreover, I have no ties to the mortal world—why go back? Brother Leng is the only person I respect. Being able to see a bosom friend here, I have no regrets.” Hearing Wei Lingfeng’s words, Leng Jian’s expression became numb. After ten years together, he knew Wei Lingfeng’s temperament well. Now that they were about to be separated forever, his heart almost shattered. Leng Jian shouted, “Bai Wu Chang, bring some wine!” His voice rang out like a thunderclap, heard by all the wandering souls… Bai Wu Chang had already seen this star of fate but hadn’t come over. He was wondering why Hero Leng came to the netherworld today. Upon closer inspection, he saw Wei Lingfeng, the leader of the demonic sect. Of course, the netherworld and the demonic sect were like the government and martial artists in the human world, but Wei Lingfeng’s prestige was extremely high, and everyone in the netherworld feared him… Hearing Leng Jian speaking to him, Bai Wu Chang quickly took two jars of wine from Meng Po and hopped over to Wei Lingfeng and Leng Jian, saying respectfully, “Hero Leng, please have some.” Leng Jian took the wine, handed it to Wei Lingfeng, and took another jar for himself. His eyes were moist as he said sadly, “Yesterday I went with an empty cup. On this path to the underworld, let me accompany you in drunkenness, my good brother. Let me accompany you in getting drunk once more…” Unable to bear to see Wei Lingfeng’s sadness any longer, he picked up the jar and drank greedily. Wei Lingfeng’s heart ached. Having one bosom friend in life was enough. Leng Jian even came to see him off on this path to the underworld. There were so many things he wanted to say, but he couldn’t speak. He picked up the jar and also drank greedily. Although Bai Wu Chang was a guide, he had never seen such deep affection before. He turned away, unable to bear to watch this sad scene… Two jars of strong wine kept flowing into their throats… Wei Lingfeng threw the jar aside and said with heroic spirit, “The moon waxes and wanes, people experience joy and sorrow, partings and reunions. Why be so sad, Brother Leng? My soul still exists. If you miss me in the future, you can come to the human world to see me.” Leng Jian raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why, Brother Wei, don’t you reincarnate as a demon but stay as a human?” Wei Lingfeng shook his head, his expression calm, and said, “Among the three realms—heaven, earth, and humanity—humans are the most ordinary. What more do I seek? Don’t you think it’s the best choice for me to be human, Brother Leng?” Leng Jian shook his head. He understood Wei Lingfeng. Since he had made up his mind, there was no need for him to say more… At that moment, Bai Wu Chang checked the time and said, “Master Wei, it’s time to leave, or we’ll be late.”

Leng Jian’s expression changed as he said, “I’m staying with my brother for a while longer—do you still have to rush me? Believe it or not, I can make your soul scatter and turn you into dust forever.”
These words made Bai Wu Chang’s expression even worse, turning even paler until it turned blue.
Wei Lingfeng said, “Why make things difficult for him? He’s doing this for my own good. Brother Leng, I’m incompetent and can no longer duel with you. I’ll take my leave first.”
With that, he walked over to Meng Po, took a bowl of Meng Po’s soup, laughed wildly at the sky, glanced at Leng Jian, and said, “Good brother, take care. I’m leaving now.” Then he drank it all in one gulp.
In an instant, Wei Lingfeng’s expression became vacant, like that of a child, his eyes lifeless, just like the wandering spirit he had been at the beginning. Wei Lingfeng gradually drifted farther and farther away…
Leng Jian watched Wei Lingfeng’s ghostly figure fade away, tears of a hero streaming from his eyes…